Microbial responses to changing plant community protect peatland carbon stores during Holocene drying

Yiming Zhang, Xianyu Huang (), Bingyan Zhao, Chaoyang Yan, Hongyan Zhao, Hongbin Zhang, Toby A. Halamka, Rebecca H. Peel, Mike Vreeken, Angela V. Gallego-Sala, Richard D. Pancost and Shucheng Xie
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Yiming Zhang: China University of Geosciences
Xianyu Huang: China University of Geosciences
Bingyan Zhao: China University of Geosciences
Chaoyang Yan: China University of Geosciences
Hongyan Zhao: Northeast Normal University
Hongbin Zhang: China University of Geosciences
Toby A. Halamka: University of Bristol
Rebecca H. Peel: University of Bristol
Mike Vreeken: University of Bristol
Angela V. Gallego-Sala: University of Exeter
Richard D. Pancost: University of Bristol
Shucheng Xie: China University of Geosciences

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-11

Abstract: Abstract Peatlands are among the most effective long-term carbon sinks. However, climate change is triggering major ecological shifts with widespread woody plant expansion in peatlands. How microbial processes regulate carbon storage under these vegetation transitions remains uncertain. Here, we integrate multi-proxy records from a subtropical fen peatland in China with a global synthesis of paleoecological data from 155 peatlands to reveal a critical carbon regulation mechanism: woody expansion within peatlands can enhance long-term carbon storage by reshaping microbial metabolism and peat organic composition. We find mid-Holocene warming- and drying-driven woody encroachment displaced herbaceous plants, suppressing bacterial heterotrophy and shifting metabolism toward autotrophy. This transition coincides with peat organic matter transformations, marked by decreased carbohydrates and increased aromatics, promoting recalcitrant carbon pools. Together, this cascade of processes amplifies carbon accumulation, with peak rates occurring alongside diminished microbial heterotrophy during woody expansions. Our findings highlight key microbial responses to vegetation shifts that protect peatland carbon storage under climatic stress.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62175-1

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